Initial Presentation of Cutibacterium (Formerly Propionibacterium) acnes Endophthalmitis Twenty-One Years After Cataract Surgery

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021 Jan 1;52(1):44-46. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20201223-08.

Abstract

The authors report a case of an 81-year-old female who presented with sudden onset of light perception vision and intraocular inflammation. After several months of continuing symptoms despite antibiotics, an aqueous tap culture grew Cutibacterium acnes. The patient had cataract surgery 21 years prior, and had no intervening trauma, intraocular procedure, or endogenous source. The presumed diagnosis was C. acnes endophthalmitis with significantly delayed onset. Capsulectomy and intraocular lens removal resolved the patient's symptoms. In rare cases, C. acnes endophthalmitis may present as recurrent inflammation despite an extremely remote history of cataract surgery, mimicking a virulent, acute-onset endophthalmitis despite antibiotic administration. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:44-46.].

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cataract Extraction*
  • Cataract*
  • Endophthalmitis* / diagnosis
  • Endophthalmitis* / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / diagnosis
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Propionibacterium acnes
  • Vitrectomy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents